Kris Patterson and Hillard Miller made the announcement tonight at Oakshade that this would be their last year of competition in the UMP Late Models. A couple of great driver's careers coming to an end. I know I among many will miss seeing them race next year.

WOW!

just curious if kris is going to stay involved in racing in some capacity as a car owner or other? growing up and watching him on those wednesday night shows racing guys like john grega, roger wing, gene playter, mike bilacic, frank seder, and bob kingen was a treat.

It was said earlier this year Kris was going to walk away. I'm not a fan of his, but it's hard to get out of it, ask Rick Stout. He'll be back.

His son was driving his other car the past year or two off a few times., not sure if he has this year at all.

I'm wondering if just MAYBE, Frank Sedar is going to hang it up soon?

First, congrats on a great career to Kris. Second I don't truly think we've seen the last of him. Most great race car drivers are really bad at retiring which is O.K. with me !!!!

I talked to Kris a couple of weeks ago in St. Johns.. the passing of his brother really has taken the wind out of his sails. He might jump in someone else's car for a race here or there.. but I'd be shocked if he ever campaigned his own car again.

i got to talk to Frank a bit at the banquet lasr winter and he didnt sound a bit like a man who was near the end of his career. He is quite healthy and stout for an older guy. My guess would be no he will not hang it up soon.

He said last night at Crystal that he would just be part time this year. However, he also said that last year.

kahuna Posted Aug 31 2008, 11:59 PM
just curious if kris is going to stay involved in racing in some capacity as a car owner or other? growing up and watching him on those wednesday night shows racing guys like john grega, roger wing, gene playter, mike bilacic, frank seder, and bob kingen was a treat

Tom Rosebrough was another top runner. I remeber a Roberts(02) and Cliff pulley, M.G. Moll ran too. when i was 16, I got to drive the Whittemore 77' silver firebird, pace car at the Merrit during a Wednesday night show. that was a treat. I wonder if Merrit still has the mid 80's white Monte SS with the Daytona back window?

He better not retire, cause then I would have to admit to being old............I used to scrap mud off his car at Auto City in the early 80's....back when NASCAR sponsored the track.

Worked with Jim Terill and Tom Rosebrugh too........

Can't forget Pete Weiss either....He won the NASCAR North championship the first year up this way......man the memories

But now for KP......What a class act.... Watched him since 1979..... and just an all AROUND GREAT GUY. He should be in the DIRT LATEMODEL HALL OF FAME....... Multi time MSPA and ALMS champion. I hope he still drives some and just cut back a bit. It just would not be the same without that Yellow 0p

Randy

P.S. Please bring the DIRT back to Auto City

I go back to racing with KP at the Ionia Fairgrounds in the sportsman class, we have had our good times and bad. After that we went our own ways, KP to late models and me to open wheel. The guy can still drive the wheels off a car. I wish him the best in his retirement (?)
I know that losing his brother was not easy on him, like most of us it just take some of the wind out of your sail. And once it is no fun any longer and becomes work it is probably time to hang it up, we are not far behind KP, maybe some day you guys can have a bench racing convention at the body shop.

I also agree with Randy,,, bring back the dirt,, made the trip with Gary Bowerman every Saturday night for 2 1/2 years to run AC.. What a trip and many stories.

I think that would be Johnny Roberts Jr.

I have known KP and his family for almost 20 years - They are all a class act.
My best KP memory was in the early 90' - I got to travel with the team and help out at Eldora for the Johnny Appleseed Race. He got tore up and finished far back in the pack, but what a great time we had. After the race he bought a car from Billy Moyer. We ended up getting home at about 6 AM Monday morning - an hour before I had to go to work.

Does anyone know how his dad, Bob is doing these days? I used to love bench racing with him on Monday mornings.

Steve

Steve.. the other day when I was up there.. Bob was at the body shop just kinda bs'in and what not.. I think that's about all he does anymore.. Kris pretty much runs the place now.

kris ran a STRONG second to brian rulhman last night at hartford.

he could of moved brian up the track a little and won, but raced him clean, just like he has his whole career.

he said he will be at i-96 tonight.

CLASS act both on and off the track.

more drivers could learn a thing or two from him.

he will be missed!!!!!!!

KP definitely gave Ruhlman a run for his money last night. Good respectful racing on both drivers... that was really what 'racing' is all about.

The drivers and crew members all gave Kris an ovation in the drivers meeting.